Device for dry massage by means of water jets

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (V) for dry water-jet massage, comprising: a tub (W), which is filled with massage water and runs from a head end to a foot end in the longitudinal direction and from a left side to a right side in the transverse direction, having a film material (F) as a cover closing the tub (W) water-tight on the top side, which film material is simultaneously used as a lying surface for a person (Pe) to be treated and allows the transmission of pressure pulses; a nozzle cart (1), which can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the tub (W) and bears at least two nozzles (D, D′, D″), which nozzles (D, D′, D″) can be fed with massage water from the tub (W) by means of a pump (P) in order to eject one water jet per nozzle against the bottom side of the film material (F); a first drive (3) for the forward and backward movement of the nozzle cart (1) in the longitudinal direction of the tub (W), the at least two nozzles (D, D′) moving forward and backward in the longitudinal direction of the tub (W) with the movement of the nozzle cart (1); and a second drive (5, ZR, Z), which moves the nozzles (D, D′) in the transverse direction of the tub (W). A device by means of which regions of the body of the person that are at a distance from the plane of the film can also be treated is achieved in that the film material (F) has one or more cavities on the bottom side of the film, which run in the transverse direction, are directed at the person (PE) lying on the film material (M) and shape the film (F) into one or more elevated portions (100), which are convex on the top side of the film.

1 . A device (V) for dry water-jet massage, comprising
 a tub (W), which is filled with massage water and runs from a head end to a foot end in the longitudinal direction and from a left side to a right side in the transverse direction, having a film material (F) as a cover closing the tub (W) water-tight on the top side, which film material is simultaneously used as a lying surface for a person (Pe) to be treated and allows the transmission of pressure pulses;   a nozzle cart ( 1 ), which can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the tub (W) and bears at least two nozzles (D, D′, D″), which nozzles (D, D′, D″) can be fed via a flexible hose connection with massage water from the tub (W) by means of a pump (P) in order to eject one water jet per nozzle against the bottom side of the film material (F);   a first drive ( 3 ) for forward and backward movement of the nozzle cart ( 1 ) in the longitudinal direction of the tub (W), the at least two nozzles (D, D′) moving forward and backward in the longitudinal direction of the tub (W) with the movement of the nozzle cart ( 1 ); and   a second drive ( 5 , ZR, Z), which moves the nozzles (D, D′) in the transverse direction of the tub (W);   
       characterized in 
       that the film material (F) has one or more cavity/cavities on the bottom side of the film, which run in the transverse direction, being directed at the person (PE) lying on the film material (F), and shaping the film (F) into one or more elevated portions ( 100 ), which are convex on the top side of the film. 
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein means for displacing the nozzles out of the plane of the tub are provided, which allow directing the ejected water jet against the cavity/cavities on the bottom side of the film and in particular against a surface inclined relative to the plane of the film (F) of the cavity/cavities on the bottom side of the film. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein a part of the nozzle cart carrying the nozzles is pivotable relative to the nozzle cart about an axis in the direction of the film (F), and that the ejected water jet assumes an angle to the normal of the film (F) by pivoting. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 3 , wherein the pivoting movement of the part carrying the nozzles is achieved by a ramp arranged in the tub (W), and wherein the forward and backward movement generated by the first drive displaces the part with respect to the ramp (R) and thus pivots upward about a horizontal axis. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the nozzles are each arranged in a nozzle holder (DH), and that the nozzle holder (DH) is connected to a toothed rack (Z) which, as part of the second drive, allows the individual displacement of the nozzle holder (DH) in the transverse direction of the tub by means of a gear of the drive. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 5 , wherein the nozzle holder (DH) can be pivoted relative to the toothed rack (Z), and wherein the toothed rack (Z) is movably connected to two axes ( 14 ;  14 ′) of the nozzle cart ( 1 ). 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 5  or  6 , wherein the nozzle holder (DH) is connected to a rigid axle ( 14 ′) of the nozzle cart ( 1 ) such that it can be axially displaced and pivoted. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the nozzle cart ( 1 ) a can be moved on wheels ( 4 ,  4 ′,  4 ″) in the longitudinal direction of the tub (W) on two rails that are fixed on the bottom (B) of the tub (W), and wherein the nozzle cart ( 1 ) can be operated with the first drive ( 3 ) which acts on the bottom side of the nozzle cart ( 1 ) by means of a motor ( 2 ″) which is mounted inside the tub (W) and can be operated from outside the tub (W) and can be operated for the forward and backward movement of the nozzle cart ( 1 ) on the wheels ( 4 ,  4 ′,  4 ″) in the longitudinal direction of the tub (W). 
     
     
         9 . The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the nozzle cart ( 1 ) comprises, parallel to the tub bottom (B), a horizontal base plate ( 10 ) which can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the tub on the wheels ( 4 ,  4 ′,  4 ″) and has a vertical side plate ( 12 ,  12 ′) fixed to the bottom plate ( 10 ) in each case on the left and on the right, wherein a first pivot axis ( 14 ) running in the transverse direction of the tub (W) and optionally a second pivot axis ( 14 ′) running in the transverse direction of the tub (W) and being offset from the first pivot axis ( 14 ) and being able to serve for guiding purposes rigidly connects the vertical side plates ( 12 ,  12 ′) together. 
     
     
         10 . The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a vertically extending tilting plate ( 16 ,  16 ′) is mounted on each of the outer sides of the side plates ( 12 ,  12 ′), so as to be pivotable about the first pivot axis ( 14 ) running in the transverse direction of the tub (W) and a rigid axis ( 14 ″) running in the transverse direction of the tub (W) rigidly connects the tilting plates ( 16 ,  16 ′) to one another, wherein each of the tilting plates ( 16 ,  16 ′) has an rolling wheel ( 17 ,  17 ′) on the outside (in the transverse direction) at the end lying opposite the tilting plate stop in each case with one wheel axis parallel to the first and second pivot axes ( 14 ,  14 ′). 
     
     
         11 . The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the movement of the at least two nozzles (D, D′) running in the transverse direction of the tub can be effected by means of two spline shafts ( 5 ,  5 ′) running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device (V) in each case through a bushing (LB) on the bottom side of the nozzle cart ( 1 ) and being in engagement with respectively a gear (ZR) with a gear axis arranged on the bottom side of the nozzle cart bottom being concentric in each case with one of the spline shafts, and the spline shafts ( 5 ,  5 ′) are mounted on a head side in a bearing (L, LC) lying inside the tub so as to be rotatable about their own axis and are controlled on a foot side by a drive motor ( 2 ,  2 ′) lying outside the tub (W) to perform a rotating back-and-forth movement around each spline shaft longitudinal axis, wherein the gears (ZR) that are each engaged with respectively a spline shaft are in turn engaged with toothed racks (Z) that are arranged parallel to the pivot axes ( 14 ,  14 ′,  14 ″) on the lower nozzle holders (DH) and cause an independent movement of the nozzles in the transverse direction of the tub along the pivot axes ( 14 ,  14 ′,  14 ″), without the spline shafts ( 5 ,  5 ′) having load-bearing function, in particular nozzle cart ( 1 )-bearing function. 
     
     
         12 . The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the nozzles (D, D′, D″) is furthermore able to direct its ejected water jet on the bottom side of the film material (F) onto the interior of the one or more cavities ( 100 ) on the bottom side of the film which form convex elevated portions ( 100 ) on the top side of the film material (F). 
     
     
         13 . The device (V) for dry water-jet massage according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the film material (F) which allows a transmission of pressure pulse as the top cover of the device (V) is also capable of a heat transmission; preferably wherein the film (F) serving as the top cover of the tub (W) comprises a natural rubber film, optionally with a carrier layer made of chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSM). 
     
     
         14 . The device (V) for dry water-jet massage according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more cavity/cavities of the film material (F) on the bottom side of the film, which run in the transverse direction, being directed at the person (Pe) lying on the film material (F) and shaping the film (F) into one or more elevated portions ( 100 ), which are convex on the top side of the film, have a depth, calculated from the inner surface of the film material (F), in the range from 1 mm to 200 mm, preferably in the range from 1 mm to 100 mm. 
     
     
         15 . The device (V) for dry water-jet massage according to one or more of the preceding claims, which is able to transfer the independently controllable rotation of the two spline shafts ( 5 ,  5 ′) mounted at the head end and foot end of the tub (W) and in each case extending through a bushing (LB) under the base plate of the nozzle cart ( 1 ) about their respective axis of rotation running in the longitudinal direction of the tub (W) via the two gear wheels (ZR) which are in engagement with the two spline shafts ( 5 ,  5 ′) in each case to one toothed rack (Z) which is movable in the transverse direction of the tub and is in each case in engagement with one gear wheel (ZR), which rack in turn is able to move in each case a nozzle holder (DH) with a nozzle (D, D′) directed against the bottom side of the film material (F) on the pivot axes ( 14 ,  14 ′,  14 ″) at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the tub (W) to the right or left side of the tub (W) independently of the other nozzle, wherein the combination of the movements of the nozzles (D, D′, D″) on the nozzle cart ( 1 ) in the longitudinal direction and in the transverse direction of the tub (W) allows the formation of any water-jet massage pattern on the bottom side of the film material (F). 
     
     
         16 . The device (V) for dry water-jet massage according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising at least one nozzle (D′″) which is not arranged on the nozzle cart ( 1 ) and is able to direct its ejected water jet onto the interior of at least one of the one or more cavities on the bottom side of the film, which run in the transverse direction, being directed at the person (Pe) lying on the film material (F), and shaping the film (F) into one or more elevated portions ( 100 ), which are convex on the top side of the film. 
     
     
         17 . The device (V) for dry water-jet massage according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising at least one nozzle (D″) on the nozzle cart ( 1 ) which is able to direct each ejected water jet onto the interior of at least one of the one or more cavities on the bottom side of the film, which run in the transverse direction, being directed at the person (Pe) lying on the film material (F), and shaping the film (F) into one or more elevated portions ( 100 ), which are convex on the top side of the film. 
     
     
         18 . The device (V) for dry water-jet massage according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising the at least two nozzles (D, D′) on the nozzle cart ( 1 ) which are able to direct each ejected water jet either on the bottom side of the film material (F) or onto the interior of at least one of the one or more cavities on the bottom side of the film, which run in the transverse direction, being directed at the person (Pe) lying on the film material (F), and shaping the film (F) into one or more elevated portions ( 100 ), which are convex on the top side of the film. 
     
     
         19 . The device (V) for dry water-jet massage according to  claim 18 , wherein the at least two nozzles (D, D′) on the nozzle cart ( 1 ) are able, when moving the nozzle cart ( 1 ) in a plane parallel to the bottom of the tub ( 1 ), spanned by the long sides and the transverse sides of the tub (W), to direct each ejected water jet substantially perpendicular to the bottom side of the film material (F). 
     
     
         20 . The device (V) for dry water-jet massage according to one or more of the preceding claims, additionally comprising in each case one additional rail ( 18 ,  18 ′) on the respective left and right outer sides of the two rails fixed on the bottom (B) of the tub (W) in the longitudinal direction of the tub (W) for moving the nozzle cart ( 1 ) for the run of the rolling wheels ( 17 ,  17 ′) attached on the two tilting plates ( 16 ,  16 ′) parallel to the run of the wheels ( 4 ,  4 ′,  4 ″) on the bottom of the tub (W) when moving the nozzle cart ( 1 ) in the longitudinal direction of the tub (W), wherein the rails ( 18 ,  18 ′) run at a plurality of locations, preferably in the region of the head end and/or in the region of the foot end of the tub (W), on rising ramps toward the tub end, which are able to pivot the ends of the tilting plates ( 16 ,  16 ′) at the end of the nozzle cart about the first pivot axis ( 14 ) away from the bottom (B) of the tub (W) in the direction of the film (F), whereby the angle of each massage water jet of each nozzle (D, D′) rigidly connected to the tilting plate ( 16 ,  16 ′) with the bottom side of the film changes with increasing pivoting of the tilting plates ( 16 ,  16 ′) from substantially 90° to acute angles, preferably up to an angle of <10°, based on the bottom side of the mat. 
     
     
         21 . The device (V) for dry water-jet massage according to  claim 18  and  claim 20 , wherein the at least two nozzles (D, D′) on the nozzle cart ( 1 ) are able to direct each ejected water jet onto the interior of at least one of the one or more cavities on the bottom side of the film, which run in the transverse direction, being directed at the person (Pe) lying on the film material (F), and shaping the film (F) into one or more elevated portions ( 100 ), which are convex on the top side of the film. 
     
     
         22 . A dry water-jet massage method, in which the body of a person to be treated, which is arranged on a film material (F) which allows a transmission of pressure pulse and which is designed as a top cover of a device (V) according to any of  claims 1  to  21 , is exposed to a water jet pressure pulse ejected through at least one nozzle (D, D′, D″, D′″) onto the bottom side of the film material (F) and optionally into the interior of at least one of the one or more transversely extending cavity/cavities on the bottom side of the film directed at the person (Pe) lying on the film material (F) and shaping the film (F) to one or more convex elevated portion(s) ( 100 ) on the top side of the film (F) with translational movement of at least one of the nozzles (D, D′, D″, D′″) delivering the pulse for a certain time in the longitudinal direction and transverse direction of the tub, which has a massage effect on the body. 
     
     
         23 . Use of the device according to any of  claims 1  to  21  for dry body massage by means of water jets, preferably for massage for relieving cramps, tension (for example muscle tension), tenseness (for example stress-related muscular tenseness), for the reduction of stress (for example for the elimination of stress-related or postural hardening of the trapezius muscle), for the alleviation or elimination of pain (for example in the case of sports injuries or for the alleviation or elimination of back or joint pain, muscular imbalances, muscular fatigue, muscle tone disorders), for the improvement of blood circulation (for example for the elimination of (chronic) venous congestion syndrome or circulatory and metabolic disorders), for the treatment of cervical migraines, for the treatment of fibromyalgia, for the elimination of reversible functional disorders of the spine and for the combat of the cervical and thoracic spine syndrome and the so-called lumbar syndrome. 
     
     
         24 . Use of the device according to any of  claims 1  to  21  for dry body massage by means of water jets to increase metabolic performance, to loosen subcutaneous cell tissue, for venous and lymphatic decongestion, to loosen scar tissue, to activate and dampen the vegetative nervous system with beneficial effects on the internal organs. 
     
     
         25 . A method for operating a device (V) for dry water-jet massage according to any of  claims 1  to  21 , comprising the steps of
 directing the water jet ejected by a nozzle (D; D′) against the film material (F) and/or one of the cavity/cavities ( 100 ) on the bottom side of the film with simultaneous pivoting of a nozzle holder (DH) carrying the nozzle (D; D′) about an axis ( 14 ′) running perpendicular to the direction of displacement of the nozzle cart, whereby the distance between the nozzle (D; D′) and the film is reduced and/or the parts of the cavity/cavities ( 100 ) on the bottom side of the film are charged with the water jet.